Nigeria’s New Tax Reforms to Eliminate Multiple Levies and Boost Haulage Industry, Says Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that Nigeria’s haulage and logistics industry will be one of the biggest winners from the country’s ongoing tax reforms. Speaking at the Haulage & Logistics Magazine Annual Conference in Lagos, Oyedele explained that the new policies were designed to simplify the tax system, eliminate multiple levies, and promote a fairer, technology-driven collection process.
In June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed four key tax reform bills into law — the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act — collectively referred to as “the Acts.” Oyedele described the reforms as a structured effort to stabilize the economy, translating macroeconomic gains into real relief for businesses and citizens. He noted that many of the old levies and road charges made it difficult for transporters to operate efficiently and contributed to rising food and transport costs.
A major highlight of the reform, according to Oyedele, is the elimination of over 60 official taxes — and more than 200 unofficial levies — that have plagued businesses for years. “We are tackling the problem of multiple taxation head-on,” he said. “These nuisance levies inflate transportation costs and discourage investment. Our goal is to make it easier to move goods across the country without facing harassment or extortion.” He added that the reforms have also outlawed the use of roadblocks for tax collection, mandating that no official should collect taxes in cash.
To further protect business owners, Oyedele revealed that a Tax Ombudsman Office would soon be established to handle complaints of illegal levies and harassment within 24 to 48 hours — at no cost to taxpayers. He also emphasized the importance of using digital platforms for tax payments, encouraging operators to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission and keep proper records to qualify for incentives such as zero per cent corporate income tax and VAT refunds.
Conference convener, Alfred Okugbeni, commended the government’s move, describing the reforms as one of the most transformative economic initiatives in recent years. He highlighted that multiple taxation had been a major driver of high transportation and food costs in Nigeria. “This reform is a breakthrough,” Okugbeni said. “It signals that government is finally serious about fair taxation and accountability. As more businesses comply, citizens will begin to see real value in the taxes they pay.”
source: Punch